2012 And You
The end of the world as we know it?
Over the last few years, Americans have been bombarded with a concept that can be summed up by one little word: change. But few people are prepared for the kind of change that many are predicting—a change they believe has been bearing down on the planet for thousands of years, one that includes the colossal transformation of our solar system.
All the predictions appear to focus on 2012, and often on one specific day—December 21. Never before have so many people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints pinpointed one day as the expiration date for human civilization.
People everywhere seem to share a sense that the world is approaching “closing time.” Crises of alarming complexity are emerging and accelerating with frightening regularity. Life on Planet Earth over the last few years has been anything but business as usual!
Signs of the Times
December 21, 2012 marks the end of the 5000-year cycle according to the Mayan calendar. Was the warning of the earth’s demise encoded in it? Were these ancient timekeepers giving us the time for the end? A growing number of people are now predicting that date as the apocalypse deadline—history’s final day.
But haven’t we heard all this before? You may remember Y2K. People predicted that when earth’s odometer rolled over from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000, we would experience massive computer malfunctions, government shutdowns, chaos, and even the end of civilization as we know it. But nothing out of the ordinary happened. Could it be that the whole 2012 thing is just another case of Y2K insanity? Or is this the real thing? Serious 2012 watchers are calling 12.21.12, the “Mayan Y2K.”
When it comes to “signs of the times,” it helps to consult the Bible. It was 100% right on over 300 prophecies written up to 700 years before Christ’s first coming to earth! And the Bible says that before the world ends Jesus Christ himself will return, this time to rule the world for 1000 years. While that gives us significant breathing room, the Bible also predicts that the years before Christ returns will be filled with intense international tension, cataclysmic disasters, and human misery. During that time world powers will be focused on eradicating the memory and influence of Jesus Christ.
The critical thing is that when Christ comes again, he will dramatically improve the chaotic nature of the world. Then centuries later Christ the Creator will destroy the world and re-create one where no sin will be present. The single greatest reminder of human hatred and war--the world--will be erased and replaced (Revelation 21:1).
Personal Expiration Dates
As interesting as it is to know about our planet’s end, the Bible makes it clear that every person also has an expiration date! It’s important for you to know what’s going to happen to you when your life ends. None of us knows how much time we personally have left. You need to be very concerned about your destiny if you are not a believer in Jesus Christ. Don’t make the mistake of looking to political or even religious leaders for salvation. Look to Jesus Christ alone for salvation: “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He’s the only way to God.
I recognize that the statement that Jesus is the only way to God offends many people. But those who maintain there are many ways to God make a mockery of Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus would not have come and paid the ultimate price if there had been some other way. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us….for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Romans 5:8, Acts 4:12).
Everyone must decide what he or she will do with Jesus Christ. He entered human history born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and was rejected by his generation: “He came to his own, and his people did not receive him” (John 1:11). He died on the cross for the sins of the world to purchase a pardon for our sins—substituting himself for us—paying the penalty for our sins. The Bible tells us that we “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), separating us from God. But thanks to Christ’s death, and his resurrection three days later, all God requires is for you to receive his pardon by faith and accept Christ as your personal Savior. “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Receiving Christ begins a life of faith that never ends…”whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).
Tribulation and God’s judgment are coming; this may well be the generation that witnesses the return of Christ. Why not believe God’s Word and accept God’s Son as your personal Savior today? You can use words like these if they express your heart’s true desire: “Dear God, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. I gladly receive Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross as the full payment for my sins. I believe Jesus rose from the dead, and I now trust him to be my Savior. Thank you for your forgiveness and for giving me new life and taking me into your eternal family. Amen.”